Ford Fiesta back in Japan despite past failure

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TOKYO (AP) — The Ford Motor Co. Fiesta compact is back in Japan despite failing a decade ago in a market dominated by Toyota and other powerful local brands that specialize in small cars.

Japan Ford unveiled the 2.29 million yen ($22,900) Fiesta Thursday.

It is one of the best-selling Ford models globally with more than 720,000 Fiesta cars are sold a year worldwide.

But Ford has struggled in Japan and stopped selling the Fiesta after selling just 2,800 of them from 2004 through 2007.

Japan Ford President Toshio Morita declined comment on the allegations against Japan about trade barriers and currency manipulation, being voiced by Ford headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan and other U.S. automakers.

Instead he said the Fiesta comes with an efficient engine, "kinetic" design and other features.